Gifts

Gifting is an art, in my opinion. Choosing a gift that is both useful and would make someone happy takes a lot of time and patience. What is very important is to understand what the other person wants and will like. 

As a child, I have received many gifts (just like any other kid) and I have always liked all of them. I have memories of getting excited while unwrapping the gifts and then feeling so happy after looking at what they were. 

As I grew up, probably when I was in my late 20s, my age and my experience made me look at gifts differently. I looked at the gifts that were given for birthdays, weddings and other occasions. People gifted more or less the usual stuff. Some bought unique items that were so beautiful but of no use. They were usually articles that could be kept on display in the showcases in the house. Still, only few could be kept and some were stored in those shelves or boxes. Some people were so good at recycling the gifts 😀. Whatever they didn't like were given as gifts to others. Iam guilty of doing that a few times. I mean what do you do when you absolutely don't like something and get a chance to give it off to someone else. You give it hoping the other person would like it. I would then estimate the cost of that gift and promptly ask my dad to give me that money😀

I know a lot of people say it is the thought that matters and not the actual gift. Still, I think in this age when everyone makes their own choices and the world is quite changing, we should also change the way we give gifts. One way is to ask the intended person on what they like and buy it for them or actually take them to a store and ask them to buy within the budget you have in mind.

The other best option is to give them the money or a gift card and ask them to get what they want. Am very sure everyone would be delighted to buy what they really want to buy.

Still, sometimes a surprise gift gives you so much joy no matter what it is. At that time you don't actually think about the value or price of that gift. It is the gift and the person who is giving the gift that matters. The thought and the time they spent in buying the gift overrides everything else.

Sleep paralysis

 While watching youtube recently, I watched this video where the guy had explained in detail what sleep paralysis was. I was glad I found the video. I finally found the answer to a question that has been haunting me for a few years now.

I remember vividly what had happened to me. The first time it happened was when I was sleeping at my grandparent's home in my native place. In the night after a few years of sleep, I wanted to get up and found that I couldn't. I couldn't open my eyes nor could I move my hands or legs. I wanted to wake my mom who was lying next to me and tell her about my predicament. I couldn't speak. I got scared. I thought it was some power or energy that had paralyzed me. Thoughts of evil spirits, ghosts came to my mind. This happened for a few minutes and I also felt as if someone was crushing my chest. 

After some time, a few seconds or minutes, I was finally able to open my eyes and move my hands. I lay in fear the whole night and could not go back to sleep after that. When I told my mom and grand mother about this, they promptly put in vibhuti on my forehead the next night. 

After many months later, I experienced the same problem one night at my house. I went to the temple nearby and then shifted my bed to a different place the next night. I had one last experience after a few months back and then have never had it ever since.

No one in the family had answers for it. We never spoke about it and all I was asked to do was apply vibhuti on my forehead before going to bed. I did that diligently and then stopped after a year. 

I wanted to know the reason for it, believed that there must be a scientific explanation for this but was not able to find it.

Finally, I got my answers after all these years and the word is Sleep Paralysis. The explanation is simple - when one goes to sleep,  the body makes sure that some body parts do not function to ensure that one doesn't act out the dreams. Under normal circumstances, this ends upon waking up, so a person never becomes conscious of this inability to move.

Sometimes, in very few cases, our brain gets out of the dream state but the other parts of the body are still immobile and that is what causes this. 

Phew, Iam relieved to know that many people around the world experience this and it has nothing to do with supernatural power!!! 

Rooh Afza

Blame in on the article on Rooh Afza in the papers, I was suddenly interested in it and wanted to taste it. Looked up on the internet and found that the brand name was Hamdard. They have been selling this syrup for years and it is especially popular during the fasting month of Ramadan. 

I was intrigued and thought I had discovered something new. Asked the girls in one of our regular calls and was surprised that everyone knew about it and have had that drink. Have you never had it, was there question. 

That evening I decided I had to try it. It had to be done.

After looking around for days, I finally found it in one of the stores. I was so excited and told my mom that I had to buy it. She looked at me, asking silently, if I really wanted it. I was adamant.

So that day, I got the bottle home, proud that I had accomplished something big. When I opened the cap and poured the syrup in the tumbler, I was filled with anticipation. I poured the water as per the instructions and then took my first sip of this rose drink, eagerly waiting to taste the rose flavor and sweetness.

I had my first sip and I had no words to describe the feeling. It tasted like cough syrup 😠😟..

All the happiness, excitement was gone!! My first worry was, what to do with that big bottle of Rooh Afza!! I tried to persuade my parents to taste. Apparently, they were more intelligent than me. They refused to even have a sip. 

My mother gave me a stern look and said, you asked for it and bought it. Now, you better make sure you drink and finish this in the next few months. Don't even think of throwing it away. Don't waste it.

I don't know how she knew that I had actually planned to dump the whole content in our kitchen wash sink!!!

Later a friend told me that it is an acquired taste. Well, yeah.. I have one whole bottle of rose syrup to finish and to experience that taste...

Lessons learnt - what tastes good for others, might not taste good for me!!!